Novel wound dressing

ABSTRACT

A wound dressing and a method of making the wound dressing is described herein. The wound dressing is formed of an absorbent substrate formed of one or more layers and a low-adherence layer disposed on the substrate. The low-adherence layer can be disposed within at least a portion of the substrate. The low-adherence layer is formed of a mixture of at least one highly fluorinated polymer and at least one acidic polymer. The at least one highly fluorinated polymer has a fluorine content greater than the fluorine content of the at least one acidic polymer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 13/655,090, entitled “NOVEL WOUND DRESSING”, filed Oct. 18,2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wound dressings. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a multi-layer wounddressing employing a polymeric layer which does not stick to the woundand a wound pad comprising an absorbent and/or wicking material.

BACKGROUND

Modern bandages or wound dressings commonly are combinations ofmaterials incorporating a suitable adhesive for the surrounding skinwith a wound pad of absorbent material. The properties of the absorbentmaterial vary with respect to the type of injury. Conventional wounddressings readily absorb fluids and can become saturated with exudateseeping from an open wound, necessitating frequent bandage or dressingchanges. Frequent changes can cause wound irritation and discomfort tothe patient. Thus, it is important for the wound pad to have minimaladherence to the healing wound.

Proteinaceous exudation from many types of skin lesions is normal duringthe healing process. Wounds which produce exudate include Stage II andStage III ulcers, second and third degree burns, skin grafts and donorsites, deep derm abrasions, and lacerations. It is known thatproteinaceous exudate acts as an adhesive or glue upon drying to adherethe dressing to the wound. In addition, there is a secondary mechanismof adherence in which new tissue grows into the structure of the wounddressing.

Generally, adherence of the proteinaceous exudate to the dressing is afunction of the surface polarity of the material of the wound dressingin direct contact with the wound. Materials having a highlyhydroxyl-rich surface, such as cotton gauze, adhere strongly whilematerials having substantially non-polar surfaces, such as nylon andsilicones, do not. However, non-polar materials are less absorbent andtrap exudates at the wound surface to retard the healing process.

Thus, there remains a need for a wound dressing which has the capabilityof absorbing proteinaceous exudate as it appears at the surface of anopen wound and yet avoid adherence of the wound dressing to the wound.Accordingly, it is to solving this and other needs that the presentinvention is directed.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a wound dressing which does notadhere to a wound surface or which has improved non-adhesioncharacteristics relative to the wound dressings known to the art. Inaccordance with the present invention, the wound dressing comprises anabsorbent substrate and a low-adherence layer disposed on the substrate.In another aspect, the low-adherence layer is disposed within at least aportion of the substrate. The low-adherence layer comprises a mixture ofat least one highly fluorinated polymer and at least one acidic polymer.Also, the at least one highly fluorinated polymer has a fluorine contentgreater than the fluorine content of the at least one acidic polymer.For example, the at least one highly fluorinated polymer can containmore than about 25 percent by weight fluorine. Also, the at least onehighly fluorinated polymer can comprise a perfluoroisopropyl alcoholmoiety.

The at least one highly fluorinated polymer has the structure ofStructure I:

A₁-A₂-A₃ . . . A_(N)  (I)

wherein each monomer A₁ through A_(N) is a monomer having a structureindependently selected from Structures II, III, or IV, N is the averagenumber of monomer units of the at least one highly fluorinated polymer,and Structures II, III, and IV, respectively, have the followingstructures:

wherein each Z₁, Z₂, Z₃, R₁, R₂, and R₃ are as defined below. In oneaspect, R₁ is a perfluoroisopropyl alcohol moiety.

The at least one acidic polymer has the structure of Structure V:

B₁-B₂-B₃ . . . B_(M)  (V);

wherein each monomer B₁ through B_(M) is a monomer having a structureindependently selected from Structures VI, VII, or VIII, M is theaverage number of monomer units of the at least one acidic polymer, andStructures VI, VII, and VIII, respectively, have the followingstructures:

wherein each Z₄, Z₅, Z₆, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are as defined below.

In another aspect, the low-adherence layer comprises a mixture of atleast one class A polymer and at least one class B polymer. The at leastone class A polymer has a fluorine content greater than the fluorinecontent of the at least one class B polymer. In addition, the at leastone class A polymer has the structure of Structure IX and the at leastone class B polymer has the structure of Structure X as follows:

wherein R, R_(f), R_(acidic), and R_(polarity) are as defined below.Example moieties for R include, but are not limited to:

Examples of the R_(f) moieties include, but are not limited to: —H,—CH₃,

Examples of the R_(acidic) moieties include, but are not limited to:

Examples of the R_(polarity) moieties include, but are not limited to:

The substrate can be a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a foam, orrespective layers thereof in any combination. In another aspect, thesubstrate is a gauze, a net, a mesh, a fleece, a foam, or respectivelayers thereof in any combination. Yet, in another aspect, the substrateis formed of cotton, a cellulose derived polymer, a polyolefin, apolyester, a polyamide, a polyester, a polyurethane, a polybutadiene, anelastomer of polybutadiene or polyurethane, a polyacrylamide, apolyacrylonitrile, an acrylic, an acrylate, Karaya gum, apolysaccharide, or any combination thereof. Still, in another aspect,the substrate is a woven or nonwoven fabric comprising fibers formed ofcellulose acetate, a polyester, nylon, rayon, a rayon/polyester blend, apolyester/cotton blend, cotton, or any combination thereof. Yet still,in another aspect, the substrate comprises a gauze formed of cotton,cellulose acetate, or a combination thereof.

Also disclosed herein is a method of making a wound dressing. The methodcomprises applying the low-adherence layer to an absorbent substrate toform a porous, absorbent wound dressing. In one aspect, thelow-adherence layer penetrates and is disposed within at least a portionof the substrate.

It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employedherein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theconception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilizedas a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systemsfor carrying out the present invention. It is important, therefore, thatthe claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructionsinsofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Other advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings showing the embodiments and aspects of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure below makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is cross-sectional view of a wound dressing made in accordancewith the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “anti-biologic” as used herein includes any substance which hasan effect on a biological organism. In particular, an anti-biologicsubstance includes, but is not limited to, bactericides, antibiotics,fungicides, herbicides, antimicrobials, and similar substances whicheffect biological organisms, both animal and plant.

The term “dressing” as used herein includes any material applied toprotect, cushion, cover, and generally guard a wound from either furtherinjury or from any desirable contacts. The material can be in any formsuch as a pad, gauze, cloth, sheet, or similar form as might be used inthe medical arts. The dressing can be used by itself or in conjunctionwith a medicinal or other substance applied thereto or containedtherein, and can comprise one or more layers.

The terms “non-stick,” “no-stick,” “anti-adherent,” “non-adherent,”“anti-adhesion,” variations thereof, and similar terms, can be usedinterchangeably to signify a dressing which either does not stick oradhere to a wound or which exhibits a reduced tendency to stick oradhere to a wound relative to other dressings.

As described herein, the present invention provides a wound dressingcomprising a wound facing low-adherence layer, at least one absorbentlayer, and, optionally, an outer layer. The low-adherence layer,described in detail below, comprises a porous, conformable film disposedon and penetrating at least a portion of the absorbent layer. Theabsorbent layer comprises a conformable hydrophilic woven fabric, ahydrophilic nonwoven fabric, hydrophilic foam, or any combinationthereof. The outer layer, when present, comprises a conformable filmthat permits moisture vapor transmission, a conformable elasticallyextensible net, or a conformable backing material, such as a film or awoven fabric known in the art for such purpose. In addition the outerlayer can have an adhesive layer on one surface thereof to engage theskin of a patient. In one aspect, the outer layer can be used toregulate moisture loss from the wound area under the dressing and alsoto act as a barrier to bacteria to delay or prevent bacteria on theoutside surface of the dressing penetrating to the wound area. Inanother aspect, the outer layer comprises a conformable microporousfilm. Although not required, the component layers of the wound dressingcan have a porosity such that moisture contained in the exudate can passthrough the dressing at a desired rate and be evaporated therefrom,thereby extending the useful life of the dressing.

Typically, the adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesivematerial disposed on the outer layer on the surface thereof facing theabsorbent layer. The adhesive can be disposed on the outer layer in oneor more positions to removably affix the wound dressing to the patient.In this aspect, the wound dressing is an “island dressing,” wherein theabsorbent layer is substantially centrally disposed with respect to anadhesive layer of greater dimensions so that free adhesive surfacesurrounds the periphery of the absorbent layer for securing the dressingto the skin. It is desirable for the adhesive material to comprise acomposition that adheres to the healthy skin of the patient, but tendsnot to adhere to the open wound itself. For example, by fixing aself-adhering adhesive at the periphery or on two edges of the wounddressing, typically on the outer layer when present, an immediate andfinal placing over the wound is achieved so that slipping is prevented.

In another aspect, the wound dressing comprises the wound facinglow-adherence layer, the at least one absorbent layer, a topicallyeffective anti-biologic disposed in the at least one absorbent layer,the optional outer layer, and, optionally, the adhesive layer describedimmediately above. Although not required, the layers of the wounddressing can be attached in a contiguous and co-extensive manner in theform of a laminate.

As indicated above, the low-adherence layer is to be positioned directlyon the wound area of the patient. Since the low-adherence layer isanti-adherent to proteinaceous exudate, skin maceration is minimized.The exudate passes through the porous low-adherence layer to be absorbedby the at least one absorbent layer. In another aspect, the at least oneabsorbent layer can permit transpiration of water vapor from the exudateto the atmosphere without the low-adherence layer subsequently adheringto the wound. Further, the low-adherence layer can have a substantiallysmooth surface, which provides a wound dressing that is less irritatingto the skin than some commercially available gauze. By structuring ofthe surface of the low-adherence layer contacting the wound, anadditional reduction in adherence to the skin and wound can be achievedwith the absorbability of the at least one absorbent layer remainingsubstantially unchanged. Additionally, air channels formed by thestructuring further the healing process.

The wound dressing of this invention can be in any convenient form ofshape or size. In one aspect, the wound dressing is a pad of rectangularshape. In another aspect, the wound dressing is a pad of circular shape.Yet, in another aspect, the wound dressing is a pad of oval shape.Still, in another aspect, the wound dressing is a pad of square shape.In addition, the wound dressing can be an elongate strip which can beused as a bandage or can be used to prepare smaller dressings.

In another aspect, the wound dressing can be in the form of a laminate.For example, individual layers of the wound dressing can be formed intoa laminate by bonding the layers together in one or more laminatingprocesses, with the exception of the low-adherence layer. To recall, thelow-adherence layer is disposed on and penetrates at least a portion ofthe at least one absorbent layer and thus, is already bonded to the atleast one absorbent layer. Suitable bonding methods include heat sealingor adhesive bonding. Typically, a bonding layer comprising an adhesiveis disposed between the respective layers of the absorbent layer and theouter layer. Such bonding layer is discontinuous. Discontinuous adhesivebonding of the layers permits moisture vapor transmission and allows thepassage of proteinaceous exudate from the wound to the at least oneabsorbent layer. Adhesive bonding compositions which can be employed toform a laminated wound dressing include, but are not limited to,acrylate ester copolymers and polyvinyl ethyl ethers. Any adhesivesuitable for use in medical applications can be employed to form thelaminate.

In one aspect, the laminate can be formed by heat sealing. The outerlayer and the at least one absorbent layer, to include multiple layersof absorbent materials, can be heat sealed to one another by heat andpressure in a conventional manner in one or more laminating processes byrespective bonding layers. For example, the outer layer can be contactedwith the at least one absorbent layer, either with or without thepresence of the low-adherence layer, through the respective nips oflaminating roller sets under low pressure and at a temperaturesufficient to permit the adhesive of the bonding layer to bond thelayers of the at least one absorbent layer and the outside layer, whenpresent, together. Multiple laminating roller sets can be employed, ifdesired.

In another aspect, the laminate can be formed by ultrasonic welding. Apolymeric material which is amenable to ultrasonic welding, i.e., amaterial will melt on the application of localized heat generated byultrasonic acoustic vibrations and then fuse the layers together oncooling, can be employed as the bonding layer.

It is desirable for the wound dressing to be sterile. For example, thesterile wound dressing can be packaged in bacteria impervious pouches.Such packages can be prepared under aseptic conditions or alternativelysterilized after packing by a conventional procedure including, but notlimited to, heat sterilization, for example by steam, ethylene oxidesterilization, or gamma irradiation. To assist in maintaining thesterilization of the wound dressing, the low-adherence layer can becovered with a release paper.

It is not required for the wound dressing to have an adhesive layer toaffix the dressing to the skin of the patient. The wound dressing can beremovably attached to the patient with an adhesive tape, a gauze wrap, awrap made of an expandable material, e.g. an “ace bandage,” and thelike.

The Absorbent Layer

The absorbent layer can comprise one or more layers of absorbent and/orwicking materials capable of being employed in wound dressings toreceive proteinaceous exudate from a wound. In one aspect, the absorbentlayer is a flexible high-lofted, non-toxic fabric which has sufficientstructural integrity to withstand normal handling, processing, and use.In another aspect, the absorbent layer is formed of a perforatedmaterial which allows exudate to penetrate or diffuse therein. Theperforated material can comprise a woven or non-woven fabric such ascotton, gauze, a polymeric net or mesh such as polyethylene, nylon,polypropylene, or polyester, an elastomer such as polyurethane orpolybutadiene elastomers, or a foam such as open cell polyurethane foam.

For example, the absorbent layer can comprise a woven or nonwoven fabricformed of non-toxic fibers. In another aspect, the non-toxic fibers havea highly hydroxyl-rich surface. Fibers which can be employed to form theabsorbent layer include, but are not limited to, cotton, nylon, rayon,polyester, and polyester cellulose fibers. Should the absorbent layerinclude a layer of a nonwoven fabric, such non-woven can be aspun-bonded or spun-laced construction. Further, wet-laid and air-laidnon-woven fabrics can be employed. Although not required, fabric forminga layer of the absorbent layer can have numerous fibers protruding fromits surfaces. Such protruding fibers are beneficial for bonding ofeither the low-adherence layer and/or the adhesive layer to the fabricto facilitate a secure mechanical bond therebetween. In one aspect, apad formed of cotton gauze comprises the absorbent layer. In anotheraspect, the absorbent layer comprises a spun-bonded polyester staplefiber fabric. Still, in another aspect, the absorbent layer comprises awoven or a nonwoven fabric formed of cellulose acetate. Further, anylayer forming the absorbent layer can comprise a fabric formed of anycombination of fibers suitable for use in medical dressings. Such fibersinclude, but are not limited to cellulose acetate, polyester,polyolefin, polyamide, cotton, and blends thereof. In another aspect,the fibers forming the absorbent layer include, but are not limited to,rayon, rayon/polyester, polyester/cotton blends, cotton, cellulosicmaterials, etc.

Moreover, the absorbent layer can comprise a hydrophilic materialcapable of retaining its integrity even after absorbing 2 to 20 timesits weight of exudate. Such hydrophilic materials include, but are notlimited to, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, various polyacrylamide,polyacrylonitrile and acrylic acid polymers, Karaya gum, andpolysaccarides. Acrylics and acrylates, which are unsubstituted orvariously substituted, can be employed in the absorbent layer.

In addition, the absorbent layer can comprise a fleece material. Fleecematerial typically contains fibers of polypropylene, polyesters,polyethylene, polyamides, and any combination thereof.

As indicated above, the absorbent layer can comprise a hydrophilicpolymer foam. Such foam layer absorbs wound exudate rapidly and enhancesthe low adherency properties of the low-adherence layer. For example,rapid absorption of exudate substantially avoids undesirable pooling ofexudate between the low-adherence layer and the wound. The ability ofopen cell hydrophilic polymer foam layers to absorb and retain fluidsdepends to some extent on the size of the foam cells, the porosity ofthe foam and the thickness of the foam layer. Apt sizes of the foamcells, cell membrane opening areas and thicknesses of the foam are knownin the medical arts. The use of hydrophilic polymer foams in theabsorbent layer can allow the wound to be maintained in a moistcondition even when exudate is absorbed and removed from the woundsurface.

The Adhesive Layer

The adhesive layer can be formed of any sterial, pressure-sensitive,not-toxic, adhesive suitable for adhesion to healthy normal human skinemployed in wound dressing applications. While the adhesive layeradheres to normal healthy skin, the adhesive should have substantiallylittle or no tendency to adhere to the open wound. Accordingly,potential interference with normal healing and trauma to theneoepithelium on removal of the dressing is minimized. Adhesivesterilization can be conducted by any conventional means, such asradiation, e.g., gamma ray or electron beam irradiation, thermal orsteam processes. Examples of suitable pressure-sensitive adhesivesinclude, but are not limited to, polyacrylic skin adhesives, polyvinylether adhesives, and polyurethane adhesives.

The Anti-Biologic

As indicated above, the wound dressing can contain a topically effectiveanti-biologic disposed in the at least one absorbent layer in atherapeutically effective amount. In one aspect, the anti-biologic is abactericide. For example, the bactericide is a broad spectrumantibacterial agent such as a silver salt for example silversulphadiazine, an acceptable iodine source such as povidone iodine (alsocalled polyvinyl pyrrolidone iodine or PVP/I), chlorhexidine salts suchas the gluconate, acetate, hydrochloride or the like salts or quaternaryantibacterial agents such as benzalkonium chloride or the like.

The process used to incorporate anti-biologics into a fiber is wellknown in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,959,556 and4,343,853 to Morrison. These references describe the incorporation of anantimicrobial agent into a thermoplastic resin to produce a fiber havingthe antimicrobial intimately mixed with the resin.

The Low-Adherence Layer

As discussed above, the present invention employs a non-homogenouslow-adherence (LA) layer comprising a mixture of at least one highlyfluorinated polymer (class A polymer) and at least one acidic polymer(class B polymer). In accordance with the present invention, thefluorine content of the class A polymer is greater than the fluorinecontent of the class B polymer. Class A polymers, class B polymers, andmixtures thereof employed in the present invention, and methods ofmaking such polymers and mixtures are described in U.S. Pat. No.7,678,537 to Allen et al., which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. Class A and B polymers are miscible with one other and canbe disposed on the absorbent layer. Each polymer of the mixturesegregates to the interface for which it was designed. The lower surfaceenergy, more highly fluorinated class A polymer is at its maximum molarconcentration in the LA layer at the air/LA layer interface and at itsminimum molar concentration in the LA layer at the LA layer/absorbentlayer interface. The acidic class B polymer is at its minimum molarconcentration in the LA layer at the air/LA layer interface and at itsmaximum molar concentration in the LA layer/absorbent layer interface.For example, the weight percentage of type A polymer can be greater thanthe weight percentage of type B polymer at the LA layer to airinterface. In another aspect, the weight percentage of type B polymercan be greater than the weight percentage of type A polymer at the LAlayer to absorbent layer interface.

The class A polymer has a high fluorine content for surface energycontrol and high water contact angles and includes an acidic pendentgroup(s). The class B polymer has a highly acidic pendent group(s), e.g.sulfonic acid, and one or more acidic pendent group(s) different fromthe highly acidic pendent group(s). Typically, the class A and Bpolymers are soluble in the same solvent(s).

An acidic group is defined as a group having a pK_(a) less than that ofwater. The pK_(a) of water is slightly greater than 15 (as measured inwater) or 31 (as measured in dimethylsulfoxide). In one aspect, acidicgroups have a pK_(a) (negative log of the acid dissociation constant)less than about 13 (as measured in water) or 24 (as measured indimethylsulfoxide). A strongly acidic group is defined as a group havinga pK_(a) of less than about 3 (as measured in water) or 8 (as measuredin dimethylsulfoxide). A highly fluorinated polymer is defined as apolymer containing more than about 25 percent by weight fluorine. Apolymer with low fluorine content is defined as a polymer containingless than about 15 percent by weight fluorine. A polymer with moderatefluorine content is defined as a polymer containing between than about15 percent by weight fluorine and about 25 percent by weight fluorine. Afluoroalcohol is defined as an organic compound bearing a hydroxyl groupwherein one or more non-hydroxyl group hydrogen atoms are replaced withfluorine atoms. The fluoroalcohol may be comprised of a linear,branched, cyclic, polycyclic, or aromatic structure. Many non-limitingexamples of such fluoroalcohols may be found in H. Ito, “ChemicalAmplification Resists for Microlithography,” Adv. Polym. Sci. 2005, 172,37-245.

Class A polymers employed in the LA layer have the structure:

A₁-A₂-A₃ . . . A_(N)  (I)

wherein each monomer A₁ through A_(N) is a monomer independently havinga structure of Structures II, III, or IV described below. Structure Ishould not be interpreted as meaning all polymers in a given sample of aclass A polymer have the same number of monomer units, but rather N canvary between individual polymers. N could also be thought of as beingthe average number of monomer units in a given sample of class Apolymers.

Class A polymers comprise one or more different monomers having thefollowing structures:

-   wherein each Z₁, Z₂, and Z₃ is independently a linear alkylene, a    branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a    linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclic    heteroalkylene, a polycyclic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a    carbonyl group, a carbonate group, an acetal group, a ketal group, a    siloxyl group, a carboxylic acid group, a carboxylic acid anhydride    group, a carboxylic acid anhydride half-ester group, an ether group,    an amide group, a carbamate group, a thioether group, a fluorinated    linear alkylene, a fluorinated branched alkylene, a fluorinated    cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a fluorinated linear    heteroalkylene, a fluorinated branched heteroalkylene, a fluorinated    cyclic heteroalkylene, a fluorinated polycyclic heteroalkylene, a    fluorinated ester group, a fluorinated carbonyl group, a fluorinated    carbonate group, a fluorinated acetal group, a fluorinated ketal    group, a fluorinated siloxyl group, a fluorinated carboxylic acid    group, a fluorinated carboxylic acid anhydride group, a fluorinated    carboxylic acid anhydride half-ester group, a fluorinated ether    group, a fluorinated amide group, a fluorinated carbamate group, or    a fluorinated thioether group;-   wherein R₁ is a fluoroalcohol group, a fluoroalcohol group protected    with an acid-labile group, a fluoroalcohol group protected with a    base-labile group, a fluoroalcohol group protected with an    acid-labile fluorinated group, a fluoroalcohol group protected with    a base-labile fluorinated group, a lactone group, a C₅ to C₁₀    aromatic or heteroaromatic group, or an —X₁—Y₁ group, wherein X₁ is    a linear alkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a    polycyclic alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, a branched    heteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene,    an ester group, a carbonyl group, an amide group, an ether group, a    thioether group, a carbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal    group, or a ketal group and Y₁ is a fluoroalcohol group, a    fluoroalcohol group protected with an acid-labile group a    fluoroalcohol group protected with a base-labile group, a    fluoroalcohol group protected with an acid-labile fluorinated group,    or a fluoroalcohol group protected with a base-labile fluorinated    group;-   wherein R₂ is hydrogen, fluorine, a fluoroalcohol group, a    sulfonamide group, a phenolic group, a naphtholic group, a    carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic    or heteroaromatic group, or an —X₂—Y₂ group, wherein X₂ is a linear    alkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic    alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a    cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a    carbonyl group, an amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, a    carbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal    group and Y₂ is a fluoroalcohol group, a sulfonamide group, a    phenolic group, a naphtholic group, a carboxylic acid group, or a    sulfonic acid group;-   wherein R₃ is hydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, a    base-labile group, an acid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labile    fluorinated group, a linear alkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic    alkane, a polycyclic alkane, a linear heteroalkane, a branched    heteroalkane, a cyclic heteroalkane, a polycylic heteroalkane, a    fluorinated linear alkane, a fluorinated branched alkane, a    fluorinated cyclic alkane, a fluorinated polycyclic alkane, a    fluorinated linear heteroalkane, a fluorinated branched    heteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, a fluorinated    polycylic heteroalkane, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic    group, or a —X₃—Y₃ group, wherein X₃ is a linear alkylene, a    branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a    linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclic    heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a    carbonyl group, an amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, a    carbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal    group and Y₃ is hydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, a    base-labile group, an acid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labile    fluorinated group, a linear alkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic    alkane, a polycyclic alkane, a linear heteroalkane, a branched    heteroalkane, a cyclic heteroalkane, a polycylic heteroalkane, a    fluorinated linear alkane, a fluorinated branched alkane, a    fluorinated cyclic alkane, a fluorinated polycyclic alkane, a    fluorinated linear heteroalkane, a fluorinated branched    heteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, or a fluorinated    polycylic heteroalkane.

In another aspect, R₁ is a perfluoroisopropyl alcohol moiety. While notwishing to be bound by theory, it is believed the perfluoroisopropylalcohol moiety, when incorporated into the class A polymer structure,provides an ability to tailor the hydrophobic/hydrophilic nature of theresulting LA layer mixture.

Class B polymers may be described as having the structure:

B₁-B₂-B₃ . . . B_(M)  (V);

wherein each monomer B₁ through B_(M) is a monomer independently havinga structure of VI, VII, or VIII described below. Structure V should notbe interpreted as meaning all polymers in a given sample of a class Bpolymer have the same number of monomer units, but rather M can varybetween individual polymers. M could also be thought of as being theaverage number of polymer units in a given sample of class B polymers.

Class B polymers comprise one or more different monomers having thefollowing structures:

-   wherein each Z₄, Z₅, and Z₆ is independently a linear alkylene, a    branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a    linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclic    heteroalkylene, a polycyclic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a    carbonyl group, a carbonate group, an acetal group, a ketal group, a    siloxyl group, a carboxylic acid group, a carboxylic acid anhydride    group, a carboxylic acid anhydride half-ester group, an ether group,    an amide group, a carbamate group, a thioether group, a fluorinated    linear alkylene, a fluorinated branched alkylene, a fluorinated    cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a fluorinated linear    heteroalkylene, a fluorinated branched heteroalkylene, a fluorinated    cyclic heteroalkylene, a fluorinated polycyclic heteroalkylene, a    fluorinated ester group, a fluorinated carbonyl group, a fluorinated    carbonate group, a fluorinated acetal group, a fluorinated ketal    group, a fluorinated siloxyl group, a fluorinated carboxylic acid    group, a fluorinated carboxylic acid anhydride group, a fluorinated    carboxylic acid anhydride half-ester group, a fluorinated ether    group, a fluorinated amide group, a fluorinated carbamate group, or    a fluorinated thioether group;-   wherein R₄ is a sulfonic acid group, a sulfinic acid group, a    carboxylic acid group, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic group,    or a —X₄—Y₄ group, wherein X₄ is a linear alkylene, a branched    alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a linear    heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene,    a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonyl group, an    amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, a carbonate group, a    carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal group and Y₄ is a    sulfonic acid group, a sulfinic acid group, or a carboxylic acid    group;-   wherein R₅ is hydrogen, fluorine, a fluoroalcohol group, a    sulfonamide group, a phenolic group, a naphtholic group, a    carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a lactone group, a C₅    to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic group, or a —X₅—Y₅ group, wherein    X₅ is a linear alkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a    polycyclic alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, a branched    heteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene,    an ester group, a carbonyl group, an amide group, an ether group, a    thioether group, a carbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal    group, or a ketal group and Y₅ is a fluoroalcohol group, a    sulfonamide group, a phenolic group, a naphtholic group, a    carboxylic acid group, or a sulfonic acid group; and-   wherein R₆ is hydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, a    base-labile group, an acid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labile    fluorinated group, a linear alkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic    alkane, a polycyclic alkane, a linear heteroalkane, a branched    heteroalkane, a cyclic heteroalkane, a polycylic heteroalkane, a    fluorinated linear alkane, a fluorinated branched alkane, a    fluorinated cyclic alkane, a fluorinated polycyclic alkane, a    fluorinated linear heteroalkane, a fluorinated branched    heteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, a fluorinated    polycylic heteroalkane, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic    group, or an —X₆—Y₆ group, wherein X₆ is a linear alkylene, a    branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a    linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclic    heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a    carbonyl group, an amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, a    carbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal    group and Y₆ is hydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, a    base-labile group, an acid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labile    fluorinated group, a linear alkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic    alkane, a polycyclic alkane, a linear heteroalkane, a branched    heteroalkane, a cyclic heteroalkane, a polycylic heteroalkane, a    fluorinated linear alkane, a fluorinated branched alkane, a    fluorinated cyclic alkane, a fluorinated polycyclic alkane, a    fluorinated linear heteroalkane, a fluorinated branched    heteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, or a fluorinated    polycylic heteroalkane.

In another aspect, the LA layer comprises a mixture of class A polymersand class B polymers of structures IX and X, respectively:

-   wherein R_(f) is selected from R₁, R₂, or R₃ as defined above;    R_(acidic) is selected from R₄ or R₅ as defined above; R_(polarity)    is different from R_(acidic) and selected from R₅ or R₆ as defined    above; R is different from R_(acidic) and R_(polarity) and is    selected from R₅; s is any number from 0 to 100 and t is any number    from 0 to 100, such that s+t is greater than or equal to 50 and less    than or equal to 100; and x is any number from 0 to 99.9, y is any    number from 0.1 to 99.9, and z is any number from 0 to 99.9, such    that x+y+z is greater than or equal to 50 and less than or equal to    100.

Examples of the R moiety include, but are not limited to:

In another aspect, R is

Still, in another aspect, R is

Yet, in another aspect, R is

Examples of the R_(f) moiety include, but are not limited to: —H, —CH₃,

Examples of the Racidic moieties include, but are not limited to:

Examples of the R_(polarity) moieties include, but are not limited to:

Class A polymers of the present invention can include any combination ofs mer % of the perfluoroisopropyl alcohol moiety and t mer % of theester moiety. Class B polymers of the present invention can include anycombination of x mer % of the R_(acidic) ester moiety, y mer % of thesulfonic acid moiety, and z mer % of the R_(polarity) ester moiety. Amer is defined as a chemical repeat unit in the polymer. Mer fraction isdefined as the number of mers of all repeat units in a polymer. Mer % isdefined as the mer fraction and multiplied by 100. Accordingly, thetotal amount of all Mers is 100%. For example, in one aspect, s is 95and t is 5. In another aspect, s is 80 and t is 20.

In one aspect, mixtures employed to form the LA layer in accordance withthe present invention can be mixtures where the class A polymer isindependently selected from homopolymers, copolymers, or terpolymers andthe class B polymer is independently selected from single monomerpolymers, copolymers, and terpolymers, as two or more of the propertiesimparted to the class A polymer by individual R₁, R₂, R₃ groups can befulfilled by one or two R groups and two or more of the propertiesimparted to the class B polymer by individual R₄, R₅, R₆ groups may befulfilled by one or two R groups. For example, the class A polymer canbe a terpolymer where R₁ is selected to provide solubility in a desiredsolvent, R₂ is selected to tune the solubility in the selected solvent,and R₃ is selected to tune the surface energy and the class B polymer isa terpolymer where R₄ is a strongly acidic group, R₅ is a weak acidicgroup, and R₆ is selected to tune the polarity of the class B polymer.

Typically, although not required, the average molecular weight for classA and class B polymers is between about 500 and about 200,000,respectively. In another aspect, the average molecular weight for classA and class B polymers is between about 1000 and about 20,000,respectively.

Besides class A polymers and class B polymers, the LA layer mixtures cancontain solvents, surfactants, stabilizers, other processing aides, andantimicrobials. The mixture of A and B class polymers are dissolved in asolvent to form a coating solution. The solvent can comprise one solventor two or more different volatile solvents. Such solvents are notincluded in total solids calculations. Further, the stabilizers,surfactants and other additives (if any) can be added to the coatingsolution. In one example, surfactants comprise less than about 1 percentby weight of the totals solids content of the coating solution. In oneexample, stabilizers and other additives together comprise less thanabout 10 percent by weight of the total solids content of the coatingsolution. In one aspect, class A and class type B polymers togethercomprise between about 5 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weightof the coating solution. In another aspect, class A and class B polymerstogether comprise between about 2 percent by weight to about 15 percentby weight of the coating solution. Yet, in another aspect, class A andclass B polymers together comprise up to about 30 percent by weight ofthe coating solution. Coating solutions can be made by adding dry (e.g.,in powder form) class A and class B polymers to the solvent. Solventextraction can be used to purify class A and class B polymers and thenthe solutions with the polymer (with or without a concentrationprocedure) mixed together to form a simple coating solution.Surfactants, stabilizers, and other additives can be added to the simplecoating solution as solids or as solutions of dissolved solids to form amore complex coating solution. Additives and impurities which can stopformation of a vertically graded non-homogenous layer of class A and Bpolymers are excluded from being included or added to the coatingsolution.

For a fuller understanding of this disclosure and the inventiondescribed therein, reference should be made to the above and followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying figure.As illustrated in FIG. 1, the wound dressing 10 has an outer layer 20(which is optional) disposed on one side of at least one absorbent layer30, and a low-adherence layer 40 disposed on the other side of theabsorbent layer 30. The outer layer 20 can have an adhesive layer 22comprising a conventional adhesive known in the art to adhere the outerlayer 20 to the absorbent layer 30. The adhesive forming the adhesivelayer 22 can be a conventional pressure sensitive adhesive. Asillustrated, the outer layer 20 and adhesive layer 22 extend beyond theabsorbent layer 30 such that the adhesive layer 22 can engage the skinof a patient. A release layer (not shown) can be disposed over andreleasably secured to the exposed surface of adhesive layer 22 toprotect adhesive layer 22 during storage of dressing 10. The releaselayer is removed just prior to the application of dressing 10 over thewound.

The wound dressing 10 is manufactured by applying the polymer mixture ofthe low-adherence layer 40 described above which is in a flowable orsprayable form to a surface of the absorbent layer 30. The polymermixture may be applied onto all or a portion of a surface of thelow-adherence layer 40 using conventional techniques, such as printing,dipping, spraying, melt extruding, coating (e.g., solvent coating,powder coating, brush coating, etc.), and so forth. The polymer mixturepenetrates at least a portion of the absorbent layer 30 and encapsulatedfibers positioned at and immediately below the surface receiving thelow-adherence layer 40. In one aspect, the polymer mixture penetratesthe absorbent layer to a depth of about 1-2 millimeters. After curing,i.e. allowing the polymer mixture to form into a non-flowable state,e.g., solvent removal from the polymer mixture, by drying orevaporation, cooling from a flowable state to a non-flowable state,etc., the polymer mixture forms into the low-adherence layer 40described above to produce the wound dressing 10. Since the polymermixture coats the fibers of the porous absorbent layer surface, thelow-adherence layer 40 is likewise porous, thereby allowing bodilyfluids to pass through the low-adherence layer, which has a hydrophobicsurface, and to be absorbed by the hydrophilic absorbent layer.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Various modifications may be made of the inventionwithout departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore,that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by theprior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.

1. A method of making a wound dressing comprising: applying a mixture ofat least one highly fluorinated polymer and at least one acidic polymeronto a surface of an absorbent substrate, the at least one highlyfluorinated polymer having a fluorine content greater than the fluorinecontent of the at least one acidic polymer; and curing the polymermixture disposed on the absorbent substrate to form a low-adherencelayer.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the low-adherence layer isdisposed within at least a portion of the substrate.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one highly fluorinated polymer containsmore than about 25 percent by weight fluorine.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one highly fluorinated polymer comprises aperfluoroisopropyl alcohol moiety.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theat least one highly fluorinated polymer has the structure of StructureI:A₁-A₂-A₃ . . . A_(N)  (I) wherein each monomer A₁ through A_(N) is amonomer having a structure independently selected from Structures II,III, or IV, N is the average number of monomer units of the at least onehighly fluorinated polymer, Structures II, III, and IV, respectively,have the following structures:

wherein each Z₁, Z₂, and Z₃ is independently a linear alkylene, abranched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a linearheteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, apolycyclic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonyl group, a carbonategroup, an acetal group, a ketal group, a siloxyl group, a carboxylicacid group, a carboxylic acid anhydride group, a carboxylic acidanhydride half-ester group, an ether group, an amide group, a carbamategroup, a thioether group, a fluorinated linear alkylene, a fluorinatedbranched alkylene, a fluorinated cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene,a fluorinated linear heteroalkylene, a fluorinated branchedheteroalkylene, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkylene, a fluorinatedpolycyclic heteroalkylene, a fluorinated ester group, a fluorinatedcarbonyl group, a fluorinated carbonate group, a fluorinated acetalgroup, a fluorinated ketal group, a fluorinated siloxyl group, afluorinated carboxylic acid group, a fluorinated carboxylic acidanhydride group, a fluorinated carboxylic acid anhydride half-estergroup, a fluorinated ether group, a fluorinated amide group, afluorinated carbamate group, or a fluorinated thioether group; whereinR₁ is a fluoroalcohol group, a fluoroalcohol group protected with anacid-labile group, a fluoroalcohol group protected with a base-labilegroup, a fluoroalcohol group protected with an acid-labile fluorinatedgroup, a fluoroalcohol group protected with a base-labile fluorinatedgroup, a lactone group, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic group, oran —X₁—Y₁ group, wherein X₁ is a linear alkylene, a branched alkylene, acyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, abranched heteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylicheteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonyl group, an amide group, anether group, a thioether group, a carbonate group, a carbamate group, anacetal group, or a ketal group and Y₁ is a fluoroalcohol group, afluoroalcohol group protected with an acid-labile group a fluoroalcoholgroup protected with a base-labile group, a fluoroalcohol groupprotected with an acid-labile fluorinated group, or a fluoroalcoholgroup protected with a base-labile fluorinated group; wherein R₂ ishydrogen, fluorine, a fluoroalcohol group, a sulfonamide group, aphenolic group, a naphtholic group, a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonicacid group, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic group, or an —X₂—Y₂group, wherein X₂ is a linear alkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclicalkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, a branchedheteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, anester group, a carbonyl group, an amide group, an ether group, athioether group, a carbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal group,or a ketal group and Y₂ is a fluoroalcohol group, a sulfonamide group, aphenolic group, a naphtholic group, a carboxylic acid group, or asulfonic acid group; wherein R₃ is hydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labilegroup, a base-labile group, an acid-labile fluorinated group, abase-labile fluorinated group, a linear alkane, a branched alkane, acyclic alkane, a polycyclic alkane, a linear heteroalkane, a branchedheteroalkane, a cyclic heteroalkane, a polycylic heteroalkane, afluorinated linear alkane, a fluorinated branched alkane, a fluorinatedcyclic alkane, a fluorinated polycyclic alkane, a fluorinated linearheteroalkane, a fluorinated branched heteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclicheteroalkane, a fluorinated polycylic heteroalkane, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromaticor heteroaromatic group, or a —X₃—Y₃ group, wherein X₃ is a linearalkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene,a linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclicheteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonylgroup, an amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, a carbonategroup, a carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal group and Y₃ ishydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, a base-labile group, anacid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labile fluorinated group, a linearalkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic alkane, a polycyclic alkane, alinear heteroalkane, a branched heteroalkane, a cyclic heteroalkane, apolycylic heteroalkane, a fluorinated linear alkane, a fluorinatedbranched alkane, a fluorinated cyclic alkane, a fluorinated polycyclicalkane, a fluorinated linear heteroalkane, a fluorinated branchedheteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, or a fluorinatedpolycylic heteroalkane.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein R₁ is aperfluoroisopropyl alcohol moiety.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein theat least one acidic polymer has the structure of Structure V:B₁-B₂-B₃ . . . B_(M)  (V); wherein each monomer B₁ through B_(M) is amonomer having a structure independently selected from Structures VI,VII, or VIII, M is the average number of monomer units of the at leastone acidic polymer, Structures VI, VII, and VIII, respectively, have thefollowing structures:

wherein each Z₄, Z₅, and Z₆ is independently a linear alkylene, abranched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a linearheteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, apolycyclic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonyl group, a carbonategroup, an acetal group, a ketal group, a siloxyl group, a carboxylicacid group, a carboxylic acid anhydride group, a carboxylic acidanhydride half-ester group, an ether group, an amide group, a carbamategroup, a thioether group, a fluorinated linear alkylene, a fluorinatedbranched alkylene, a fluorinated cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene,a fluorinated linear heteroalkylene, a fluorinated branchedheteroalkylene, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkylene, a fluorinatedpolycyclic heteroalkylene, a fluorinated ester group, a fluorinatedcarbonyl group, a fluorinated carbonate group, a fluorinated acetalgroup, a fluorinated ketal group, a fluorinated siloxyl group, afluorinated carboxylic acid group, a fluorinated carboxylic acidanhydride group, a fluorinated carboxylic acid anhydride half-estergroup, a fluorinated ether group, a fluorinated amide group, afluorinated carbamate group, or a fluorinated thioether group; whereinR₄ is a sulfonic acid group, a sulfinic acid group, a carboxylic acidgroup, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic group, or a —X₄—Y₄ group,wherein X₄ is a linear alkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene,a polycyclic alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, a branchedheteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, anester group, a carbonyl groups, an amide group, an ether group, athioether group, a carbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal group,or a ketal group and Y₄ is a sulfonic acid group, a sulfinic acid group,or a carboxylic acid group; wherein R₅ is hydrogen, fluorine, afluoroalcohol group, a sulfonamide group, a phenolic group, a naphtholicgroup, a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a lactone group,a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic group, or a —X₅—Y₅ group, whereinX₅ is a linear alkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, apolycyclic alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene,a cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, acarbonyl group, an amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, acarbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal groupand Y₅ is a fluoroalcohol group, a sulfonamide group, a phenolic group,a naphtholic group, a carboxylic acid group, or a sulfonic acid group;and wherein R₆ is hydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, abase-labile group, an acid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labilefluorinated group, a linear alkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic alkane,a polycyclic alkane, a linear heteroalkane, a branched heteroalkane, acyclic heteroalkane, a polycylic heteroalkane, a fluorinated linearalkane, a fluorinated branched alkane, a fluorinated cyclic alkane, afluorinated polycyclic alkane, a fluorinated linear heteroalkane, afluorinated branched heteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, afluorinated polycylic heteroalkane, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic orheteroaromatic group, or an —X₆—Y₆ group, wherein X₆ is a linearalkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene,a linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclicheteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonylgroup, an amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, a carbonategroup, a carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal group and Y₆ ishydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, a base-labile group, anacid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labile fluorinated group, a linearalkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic alkane, a polycyclic alkane, alinear heteroalkane, a branched heteroalkane, a cyclic heteroalkane, apolycylic heteroalkane, a fluorinated linear alkane, a fluorinatedbranched alkane, a fluorinated cyclic alkane, a fluorinated polycyclicalkane, a fluorinated linear heteroalkane, a fluorinated branchedheteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, or a fluorinatedpolycylic heteroalkane.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the at leastone acidic polymer has the structure of Structure V:B₁-B₂-B₃ . . . B_(M)  (V); wherein each monomer B₁ through B_(M) is amonomer having a structure independently selected from Structures VI,VII, or VIII, M is the average number of monomer units of the at leastone acidic polymer, Structures VI, VII, and VIII, respectively, have thefollowing structures:

wherein each Z₄, Z₅, and Z₆ is independently a linear alkylene, abranched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a linearheteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, apolycyclic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonyl group, a carbonategroup, an acetal group, a ketal group, a siloxyl group, a carboxylicacid group, a carboxylic acid anhydride group, a carboxylic acidanhydride half-ester group, an ether group, an amide group, a carbamategroup, a thioether group, a fluorinated linear alkylene, a fluorinatedbranched alkylene, a fluorinated cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene,a fluorinated linear heteroalkylene, a fluorinated branchedheteroalkylene, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkylene, a fluorinatedpolycyclic heteroalkylene, a fluorinated ester group, a fluorinatedcarbonyl group, a fluorinated carbonate group, a fluorinated acetalgroup, a fluorinated ketal group, a fluorinated siloxyl group, afluorinated carboxylic acid group, a fluorinated carboxylic acidanhydride group, a fluorinated carboxylic acid anhydride half-estergroup, a fluorinated ether group, a fluorinated amide group, afluorinated carbamate group, or a fluorinated thioether group; whereinR₄ is a sulfonic acid group, a sulfinic acid group, a carboxylic acidgroup, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic group, or a —X₄—Y₄ group,wherein X₄ is a linear alkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene,a polycyclic alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, a branchedheteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, anester group, a carbonyl groups, an amide group, an ether group, athioether group, a carbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal group,or a ketal group and Y₄ is a sulfonic acid group, a sulfinic acid group,or a carboxylic acid group; wherein R₅ is hydrogen, fluorine, afluoroalcohol group, a sulfonamide group, a phenolic group, a naphtholicgroup, a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a lactone group,a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic group, or a —X₅—Y₅ group, whereinX₅ is a linear alkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, apolycyclic alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene,a cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, acarbonyl group, an amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, acarbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal groupand Y₅ is a fluoroalcohol group, a sulfonamide group, a phenolic group,a naphtholic group, a carboxylic acid group, or a sulfonic acid group;and wherein R₆ is hydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, abase-labile group, an acid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labilefluorinated group, a linear alkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic alkane,a polycyclic alkane, a linear heteroalkane, a branched heteroalkane, acyclic heteroalkane, a polycylic heteroalkane, a fluorinated linearalkane, a fluorinated branched alkane, a fluorinated cyclic alkane, afluorinated polycyclic alkane, a fluorinated linear heteroalkane, afluorinated branched heteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, afluorinated polycylic heteroalkane, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic orheteroaromatic group, or an —X₆—Y₆ group, wherein X₆ is a linearalkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene,a linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclicheteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonylgroup, an amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, a carbonategroup, a carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal group and Y₆ ishydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, a base-labile group, anacid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labile fluorinated group, a linearalkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic alkane, a polycyclic alkane, alinear heteroalkane, a branched heteroalkane, a cyclic heteroalkane, apolycylic heteroalkane, a fluorinated linear alkane, a fluorinatedbranched alkane, a fluorinated cyclic alkane, a fluorinated polycyclicalkane, a fluorinated linear heteroalkane, a fluorinated branchedheteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, or a fluorinatedpolycylic heteroalkane.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrateis a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a foam, or one or more of anycombination thereof.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate isa gauze, a net, a mesh, a fleece, a foam, or one or more of anycombination thereof.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate isformed of cotton, a cellulose derived polymer, a polyolefin, apolyester, a polyamide, a polyester, a polyurethane, a polybutadiene, anelastomer of polybutadiene or polyurethane, a polyacrylamide, apolyacrylonitrile, an acrylic, an acrylate, Karaya gum, or apolysaccaride.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is awoven or nonwoven fabric comprising fibers formed of cellulose acetate,a polyester, nylon, rayon, a rayon/polyester blend, a polyester/cottonblend, cotton, or any combination thereof.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein the substrate comprises a gauze formed of cotton, celluloseacetate, or a combination thereof.
 14. The method of claim 1, whereinthe substrate comprises a hydrophilic material.
 15. A method of making awound dressing comprising: applying a mixture of at least one class Apolymer and at least one class B polymer onto a surface of an absorbentsubstrate, and curing the polymer mixture disposed on the absorbentsubstrate to form a low-adherence layer, the at least one class Apolymer having a fluorine content greater than the fluorine content ofthe at least one class B polymer, and the at least one class A polymerhaving the structure of Structure IX and the at least one class Bpolymer having the structure of Structure X as follows:

wherein R_(f) is selected from R₁, R₂, or R₃; R_(acidic) is selectedfrom R₄ or R₅; R_(polarity) is different from R_(acidic) and selectedfrom R₅ or R₆; R is different from R_(acidic) and R_(polarity) and isselected from R₅; s is any number from 0 to 100 and t is any number from0 to 100, such that s+t is greater than or equal to 50 and less than orequal to 100; and x is any number from 0 to 99.9, y is any number from0.1 to 99.9, and z is any number from 0 to 99.9, such that x+y+z isgreater than or equal to 50 and less than or equal to 100; wherein R₁ isa fluoroalcohol group, a fluoroalcohol group protected with anacid-labile group, a fluoroalcohol group protected with a base-labilegroup, a fluoroalcohol group protected with an acid-labile fluorinatedgroup, a fluoroalcohol group protected with a base-labile fluorinatedgroup, a lactone group, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic group, oran —X₁—Y₁ group, wherein X₁ is a linear alkylene, a branched alkylene, acyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, abranched heteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylicheteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonyl group, an amide group, anether group, a thioether group, a carbonate group, a carbamate group, anacetal group, or a ketal group and Y₁ is a fluoroalcohol group, afluoroalcohol group protected with an acid-labile group a fluoroalcoholgroup protected with a base-labile group, a fluoroalcohol groupprotected with an acid-labile fluorinated group, or a fluoroalcoholgroup protected with a base-labile fluorinated group; wherein R₂ ishydrogen, fluorine, a fluoroalcohol group, a sulfonamide group, aphenolic group, a naphtholic group, a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonicacid group, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic group, or an —X₂—Y₂group, wherein X₂ is a linear alkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclicalkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, a branchedheteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, anester group, a carbonyl group, an amide group, an ether group, athioether group, a carbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal group,or a ketal group and Y₂ is a fluoroalcohol group, a sulfonamide group, aphenolic group, a naphtholic group, a carboxylic acid group, or asulfonic acid group; wherein R₃ is hydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labilegroup, a base-labile group, an acid-labile fluorinated group, abase-labile fluorinated group, a linear alkane, a branched alkane, acyclic alkane, a polycyclic alkane, a linear heteroalkane, a branchedheteroalkane, a cyclic heteroalkane, a polycylic heteroalkane, afluorinated linear alkane, a fluorinated branched alkane, a fluorinatedcyclic alkane, a fluorinated polycyclic alkane, a fluorinated linearheteroalkane, a fluorinated branched heteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclicheteroalkane, a fluorinated polycylic heteroalkane, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromaticor heteroaromatic group, or a —X₃—Y₃ group, wherein X₃ is a linearalkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene,a linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclicheteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonylgroup, an amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, a carbonategroup, a carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal group and Y₃ ishydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, a base-labile group, anacid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labile fluorinated group, a linearalkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic alkane, a polycyclic alkane, alinear heteroalkane, a branched heteroalkane, a cyclic heteroalkane, apolycylic heteroalkane, a fluorinated linear alkane, a fluorinatedbranched alkane, a fluorinated cyclic alkane, a fluorinated polycyclicalkane, a fluorinated linear heteroalkane, a fluorinated branchedheteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, or a fluorinatedpolycylic heteroalkane; wherein R₄ is a sulfonic acid group, a sulfinicacid group, a carboxylic acid group, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic orheteroaromatic group, or a —X₄—Y₄ group, wherein X₄ is a linearalkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene,a linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclicheteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonylgroups, an amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, a carbonategroup, a carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal group and Y₄ is asulfonic acid group, a sulfinic acid group, or a carboxylic acid group;wherein R₅ is hydrogen, fluorine, a fluoroalcohol group, a sulfonamidegroup, a phenolic group, a naphtholic group, a carboxylic acid group, asulfonic acid group, a lactone group, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic orheteroaromatic group, or a —X₅—Y₅ group, wherein X₅ is a linearalkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclic alkylene, a polycyclic alkylene,a linear heteroalkylene, a branched heteroalkylene, a cyclicheteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, an ester group, a carbonylgroup, an amide group, an ether group, a thioether group, a carbonategroup, a carbamate group, an acetal group, or a ketal group and Y₅ is afluoroalcohol group, a sulfonamide group, a phenolic group, a naphtholicgroup, a carboxylic acid group, or a sulfonic acid group; and wherein R₆is hydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, a base-labile group, anacid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labile fluorinated group, a linearalkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic alkane, a polycyclic alkane, alinear heteroalkane, a branched heteroalkane, a cyclic heteroalkane, apolycylic heteroalkane, a fluorinated linear alkane, a fluorinatedbranched alkane, a fluorinated cyclic alkane, a fluorinated polycyclicalkane, a fluorinated linear heteroalkane, a fluorinated branchedheteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, a fluorinated polycylicheteroalkane, a C₅ to C₁₀ aromatic or heteroaromatic group, or an —X₆—Y₆group, wherein X₆ is a linear alkylene, a branched alkylene, a cyclicalkylene, a polycyclic alkylene, a linear heteroalkylene, a branchedheteroalkylene, a cyclic heteroalkylene, a polycylic heteroalkylene, anester group, a carbonyl group, an amide group, an ether group, athioether group, a carbonate group, a carbamate group, an acetal group,or a ketal group and Y₆ is hydrogen, fluorine, an acid-labile group, abase-labile group, an acid-labile fluorinated group, a base-labilefluorinated group, a linear alkane, a branched alkane, a cyclic alkane,a polycyclic alkane, a linear heteroalkane, a branched heteroalkane, acyclic heteroalkane, a polycylic heteroalkane, a fluorinated linearalkane, a fluorinated branched alkane, a fluorinated cyclic alkane, afluorinated polycyclic alkane, a fluorinated linear heteroalkane, afluorinated branched heteroalkane, a fluorinated cyclic heteroalkane, ora fluorinated polycylic heteroalkane.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein R is selected from:


17. The method of claim 15, wherein R is selected from:


18. The method of claim 15, wherein R is selected from:


19. The method of claim 15, wherein R is selected from:


20. The method of claim 15, wherein R_(f) is selected from: —H, —CH₃,


21. The method of claim 15, wherein R_(acidic) is selected from:


22. The method of claim 15, wherein R_(polarity) is selected from:


23. The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate is a woven fabric, anonwoven fabric, a foam, or one or more of any combination thereof. 24.The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate is a gauze, a net, a mesh,a fleece, a foam, or one or more of any combination thereof.
 25. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the substrate is formed of cotton, acellulose derived polymer, a polyolefin, a polyester, a polyamide, apolyester, a polyurethane, a polybutadiene, an elastomer ofpolybutadiene or polyurethane, a polyacrylamide, a polyacrylonitrile, anacrylic, an acrylate, Karaya gum, or a polysaccaride.
 26. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the substrate is a woven or nonwoven fabric comprisingfibers formed of cellulose acetate, a polyester, nylon, rayon, arayon/polyester blend, a polyester/cotton blend, cotton, or anycombination thereof.
 27. The method of claim 15, wherein the substratecomprises a cotton gauze.
 28. The method of claim 15, wherein thesubstrate comprises a hydrophilic material.
 29. The method of claim 1,further comprising applying an outer layer onto another surface of thesubstrate, the outer layer being a conformable film, a conformableelastically extensible net, or a conformable backing material.
 30. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising applying an outer layer ontoanother surface of the substrate, the outer layer being a conformablefilm, a conformable elastically extensible net, or a conformable backingmaterial.